Pardon Me

Often used as a term of courtesy 'pardon me' is a request for someone to overlook our inappropriate action. We might verbalize this request as we cut in front of someone with our cart at the grocery store. It is an admittance of responsibility and a desire to be forgiven. From the lips of a prisoner this request is more of a plea. In social situations the 'pardon' is assumed and we push right on with whatever we were doing. In a prisoner's situation the granting of a pardon is absolutely required before normal action can be continued.

In Psalm 107:10-15 we see more of God's transforming power. His people were in great need of a pardon from him and He granted it. Their state is pictured as "Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons because they had rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High." Here are a bunch of death row scoundrels who deserved whatever fate awaited them. If we are honest we are in no better condition. In Adam we too have rebelled and despised God. We are guilty because according to Romans 3:23 "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The only help remaining is to cry out, "Pardon me!"

Thankfully our cry like that of those in this passage does not fall on deaf ears. In response to their cry we read that "He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces." Graciously, God rescued these prisoners from death row and relieved them from bondage. Those who have called upon the name of the Lord in this day have received the same response. He removes our death sentence and gives us a full pardon. If you haven't experienced this grace of God then call out to him today and he will pardon you. As a result of God's pardon we can all respond as recorded in this Psalm, "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness."